Updates from the Jan. 2017 Stapleton United Neighbors (SUN) Meeting

Stapleton TOD at Central Park StationSpeaking about Transit Oriented Development (TOD) near the Central Park Station, Jim Chrisman from Forest City said the visioning for these 35 developable acres on five city blocks began just over a year ago. Build-out is planned to include 1–1.5 million square feet of office space, some ground floor retail centered on Uinta, and some residential units within five seven–eight-story mixed-use buildings. The TOD project will have around 80 units per acre versus traditional walk-up products like Botanica with 30–35 units per acre. Examples of building designs that allow for higher density are: a wrap, like The Mint at 29th Ave. Town Center where structures are built around a parking garage; and a podium building where parking is below ground with units on top. The TOD could possibly include a hotel. This region will be the highest density in Stapleton, but the buildings will have fewer stories than is allowed by zoning.

Forest City is one to two months from having renderings available. The first phase is expected to break ground in about a year, including: a seven-story, 175,000-square-foot office building on the northeast parcel; and on the south side of that same block a podium rental product with six stories including ground floor retail. The first phase will also include place-making elements lined with retail at 37th Place and Uinta. The southern block on the southeast corner of Uinta and 36th is under contract with a local developer, David Freedman Properties, for a six-story condominium project at the $250,000–$400,000 price point (in design review 1/18/2017). Freestanding retail services will be included as part of the project. If the first phase is successful, Freedman would then develop a second phase on the same block. Several phases of the TOD are expected to be under construction within a year. (A preliminary rendering and map showing development of the TOD is posted at https://frontporchne.com/article/line-train-stimulates-central-park-tod/.)

Punch Bowl SocialFor Punch Bowl Social, team members announced an updated tentative grand opening date of June 24, 2017. Current development milestones include completion of foundation for expansion and demolition is nearly complete. The next phase will include steel construction to support expansion. To prevent further instances of theft and graffiti, Punchbowl has plans to install security cameras. There is no timeline for developing the office space above punchbowl, and no plans to develop the tower. The tower will be preserved as-is with no plans for signage on the tower.

Rezoning Proposal for North of 56th Ave.Rezoning has been proposed for the eastern region of Section 10, the last square mile of Stapleton’s development north of 56th Ave., adjoining Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on the west and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal on the north. The proposed zoning would bring the remaining developable land in Section 10 current with all other zoning in the area (M-RX-5). Residents present at the meeting confirmed the planned location for Inspire Elementary on 56th Ave., a large swimming pool in the land proposed for rezoning, and that Forest City still plans to have 10 percent of homes available as income-qualified. Denver Public Schools plans to have one more school north of 56th Ave., however, it is currently unknown whether it will be K-5 or K-8, and where it will be located.

Rezoning Proposal for SE Corner of CPB and MLKRezoning has also been proposed for the three-acre vacant parcel on the southeastern corner of Central Park Blvd. and Martin Luther King Blvd. (Filing 51) from C-MU-20 to M-RX-5a. While no specific plans were revealed, structure height would be limited to five stories, with a residential focus and commercial possible on the first floor. The absolute maximum retail available would be 30,000 square feet with parking on the remainder of the lot; however, a combination of condominiums above and retail on the main level is most likely, which would reduce available land for parking and thus retail. One community member asked, “How does Forest City determine what uses are needed/wanted by the community?” Jim Chrisman responded that Forest City would evaluate what exists in the community, what is missing, and then fill that demand.

Stapleton Crime ReportLt. Ian Culverhouse from DPD reported that of all Stapleton-area burglaries in 2016, 60 percent were residential, and of these, 75 percent were “no force” (i.e., open garage doors). In response to this pattern, the HUB raffled off seven automatic garage door closers. Any resident without an automatic garage door closer should set an in-home reminder to ensure that his/her garage door is closed before bed, and is encouraged to help neighbors by checking theirs as well. Although DPD does not collect data on package theft from porches, UPS audited their own procedures after contact with DPD to improve their adherence to standard delivery protocol (e.g., leaving packages out of site when possible and not under a light). DPD is thankful for the response to their request to use a home’s porch for decoy theft; however, these operations have not yet resulted in an arrest.

Culverhouse also promoted upcoming monthly seminars at the HUB in Northfield: a home safety and security class (Feb.), women’s defense class (March), Pedestrian Safety (April), and a future bicycle class. Denver police will be offering an opportunity to “walk with a cop” on patrol in Stapleton on the second Thursday of each month. Contact Lt. Ian Culverhouse at Ian.Culverhouse@denvergov.org with questions about specific events. A new low-priority “tip” line is now available: 720.913.tips; this is a voice mailbox that will be checked every other day by Denver Police Community Resource Officers (CRO) This does not replace the function of text-a-tip (720.723.8911). Email Stapleton’s CRO at Marika.putnam@DenverGov.org. Please call police for suspicious activity before posting to social media, and always call 911 for crime in progress.

Northeast Denver Leadership WeekRepresenting the office of Denver City Councilman Chris Herndon, Amanda Schoultz reported that registration has opened for Northeast Denver Leadership Week. This free summer program for Denver high school students gives participants a range of experiences relating to careers in our city. It is held the second week in June and offers free lunches.